Coronavirus scare: 10,000 screened in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN/RUDRAPUR/PITHORAGARH: The state health department screened more than 10,000 people for coronavirus at Dehradun and Pant Nagar airports and at the six check posts on India-Nepal border in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts since January 15.
According to data provided by the health department, more than 5,500 people have been screened at five check points set up in Pithoragarh — Dharchula, Jaulajibi, Bajuakoat, Jhoolaghat, and Deoda — from January 15.The data further reveals that almost 2,500 people were screened in Champawat district and as many people were screened at the airports in the state as well. Screening of foreigners who are visiting Rishikesh and Haridwar for Yoga events is also being conducted.
State health department also held a meeting with teachers of city-based madarassas and requested its authorities to ensure cleanliness inside the premises. Schools in the city are also oragnising awareness session and distributing masks and sanitisers to students.
On Wednesday, director general (health) Dr Amita Upreti also conducted a meeting with chief medical officers of all districts via video conferencing and asked them to ensure that they have adequate stock of masks and medicines.
Amidst coronavirus scare, the sale of N95 masks has sky-rocketed in the city. The shopkeepers claim to have sold over 100 masks in last 36 hours. “I am charging Rs 295 for N95 mask,” said Gaurav Bhargawa, a city-based pharmacist.
Panic over the spread of novel coronavirus has also shot up the demand for face masks in Udham Singh Nagar. This rise in demand has led to a shortage of masks and consequently, an increase in their prices in the district.
“We sold out our stock of masks probably three days ago due to bulk buying by purchasers,” said Vinod Kumar, pharmacist and owner of Prem Medical in city’s Bhagat Singh Chowk. “Even our suppliers have run out of stock now. The hand sanitisers are also selling like hot cakes”, he added.
TOI also searched for face masks online but only to find out that the even the e-commerce giants have “limited availability” of face masks. Similarly, the N95 respirators (a safety device that covers the nose and mouth) are also fast diminishing from the markets of the district due to record purchasing.
Notably, the health department has identified 82 persons in the district who travelled to coronavirus-hit countries like China, Italy, Singapore, Nepal, and others. Among these, 71 persons were not found with any coronavirus-like symptoms but the other 10 persons have been kept under observation. One travelled is yet to be screened.
Udham Singh Nagar CMO Dr Shailja Bhatt told TOI that hospitals in the district have been asked to set up isolation wards for patients with coronavirus-like symptoms.
Meanwhile, A Nepalese citizen coming to Dharchula was sent back after an Indian doctor at the entry point found out that he has coronavirus-like symptoms.
“Ramesh Dhami (20) was heading towards Dharchula through the suspension bridge. At the entry point, Dr Rakshit Shah found that he has coronavirus-like symptoms,” Usha Gunjyal, chief medical officer of Pithoragarh, told TOI. Dhami works at a hotel at Kathamandu. “He was handed over to a team of doctors in Nepal,” added Gunjyal.